Centralized mechanism for automatically indicating the position, identity, and movement of railway cars in the switching yard



Oct. 4, 1938. M, GIBBS 2,131,946 CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDIGATING THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD Filed July 50, 1952 15 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ATTO RN EYS Oct. 4, 1938. 1 A M. @|555 2,131,946 CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATIOALLY INDICATING THE POSITION, IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITOHING' YARD Filed July 50, 1952 l5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTO RN EY5 oct. 4, 1938.v

L. M, GIBBS 2,131,946 CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATING THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD Filed July 30, 1932 l5 Sheets-Sheet 3 L. M. MM5

ATTO R NEYS Oct. 4, 1938. 4 M. GIBBS CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATING THE POSITION,

IDENTITY. AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD Filed July 50, 1932 l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Oct. 4, 1938. M. @|555 4 2,131,946 GENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATINIG THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD Filed July 30, 1932 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 5275 ATTO RNEYS oct. 4, 193s.

l.. MA GIBBS 2,131,946 CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATING THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD 15 sheets-sheet e Filed July 50, 1932 ATTORNEYS Od. 4, 1938. -M GlBBS 2,131,946 CENTRALIZED MEGHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATING THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE swITCHING YARD Filed July 50, 1932 15 SheetS-Sheet 7 INVENTOR Lili; bb

ATTORN EYj Oct., 4%, 1938c M. GIBBS 2,131,945 CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATING THE POSITION, IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD Filed July 50, 1932 13 Sheets-Sheet 8 222C @2&2 2,25 235 A B ,222@ 22 C ZZ zzz@ Z/ Z/ 2l? 2/7 22 2% z/ ,z/ 2.2

233 225 234 237 i@ 2f zzz/`- 24/ I 235 W :i2 17525 nnnniInm @#220 229 zz/ A/ o' "A4 di INVENTOR BY j@ 7p@ ATTORNEYS Oct. 4, 1938. M. GIBBS CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDIGATING THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD Filed JulyO, 1952 l HR,

USEEDUEUUUE C INVENTOR ATTO RNEYS Oct. 4, 1938. M GlBBs 2,131,946 CENTRALIZED MEOHANISM FOR AUTOMATIOALLY INDICATING THE POSITION.

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT oF vRAILWAY GARS IN THE swITGHING YARD Filed July 30, 1932 15 Sheets-Sheet l0 R O T N E V m L. M. M55

j ATToRNErs Oct. 4, 1938.

CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATING THE POSITION, IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT' OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD Filed July 50, 1932 15 Sheets-Sheet l1 INVENTOR ATTO RN EYS Oct. 4, 1938. M. GIBBS 2,131,945 CENTRALIZED MECHANISM FOR AUTOMATICALLY INDICATING THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWTCHING YARD Filed July 50, 1932 l5 Sheets-Sheet `l2 ccsPPTCCHL/SPR @www TM aM um 11M 5M 'PM /586L El-K @n l E J M4@ J3. y.

INVENTOR L. M. www

ATToRNEY5 Oct. 4, 1938. l M. GIBBS 2,131,946 CENTRALIZED MEOHANISM FOR AUTOMATIOALLY INDIOATTNG THE POSITION,

IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT OF RATLWAY GARS 1N THE swITCHING YARD Filed July 30, 1932 l5 Sheets-Sheet 15 INVENTOR 2%34 M, www

ATTO RNEY5 Patented Oct. 4, 1938 IDENTITY, AND MOVEMENT 0F RAILWAY CARS IN THE SWITCHING YARD' Leon M. Gibbs, Birmingham, Ala., assigner to Teleswitch Corporation, a corporation of Alahama Application July so, 1932, serial No. 626,294

20 Claims.

. My invention relates to a centralized switch yard control mechanism capable of responding automatically to the movement of railway cars in the main switch yard, and adapted to represent 5. by movableindicators on an indicating table', the

identity, position and movement of each railwa car inthe main switching yard. Y'

My invention constitutes an improvement on the methods and mechanism for carrying out the foregoing Aobjects which form the subject matter of Letters Patent of the United States heretofore issued to me,-Nos. 1,741,229, 1,753,602, 1,924,491,

and 2,046,157'. f

In its essentials,` my mechanism comprises the provision ofan indicating tablev customarily located in the yard masters' oice, and provided with a system of tracks and switches constituting a replica on a very small scale of the tracksand switches of the main yard. The main yard, whenthe mechanism is to operate automatically, is equipped with mechanism responsive to the passage of wheels or cars which actuates selectively responsive mechanism which controls the movement of dummies, corresponding to the actual railway cars, over the tracks of the indicating table. In addition,.mechanism is provided whereby the. movement of switches in the main yard will cause a like movement of the corresponding switches on the indicating table.. Motor driven belt mechanism is reversely movable under the indicating table tracks and adapted, by engagement with the dummies, to move them back and forth about the indicating table responsive to the setting of the switches and to the operation of main yard track instrunfients` which cause a dummy movement on the indicating table corresponding to a car movement taking place in the main yard.

All of the mechanism as thus far described and the theory of operation is fully set forth in my patents. and is briefly described herein for the purpose oi more clearly pointing out the novel features Ato which my present application is directed,v

One distinctive ieature of my present invention is concerned with the improvement and simplification of the mechanism for moving the dummies about onl the control board and into and out of the main line tracks. This I propose to accomplish utilizing a single belt coeXtensive-in width and length with the dummy switching yard and operated by an intermittently reversible motor which will ldrive the belt during part of a predetermined cycle in one direction and will drive it reversely for the other part of the cycle. By this arrangement a single motor driven belt can serve the entire dummy yard whereby the apparatus will be very greatly simplied and its cost both for manufacture and maintenance materially reduced. v 5.

Second, where a reversible belt drive is em- 'f' ployed for the dummies, it is essential to provide means, corelated with the belts direction of travel, to control the movement of dummies past dummy counters-or checking points responsive to corresponding movements of their Vcontrol cars past track instruments. in the main yard. I propose to coordinate the drive of the belt with the operation of feelersor checkers arranged at each end of each dummy switch track and adapted to perform their functions duringa portion; of each belt movement. Thus, the control mechanism will be setto actuate the feelersl and checkers at the right hand end of the dummy tracks during the concluding portion of the `movement of the dummy drive belt to the right, and will in like manner be set toactuate the feelers and checkers at the left hand end of the tracks during the concluding portion of the travel ci the belt to the left. The feel-ers and checkers are timed to ccmmence their action after the belt has had time to kcause all dummies in all tracks to have been moved into position to be controlled by the checkers when same are caused to operate responsiveto the operation of corresponding track instruments in the main yard.

`lit may thus be said that my improved method of dummy control involves shifting all dummies in the yard back and forth between feeler or checking points', and timing the feelers or checkers, as and while called upon by the main yard control' devices, to` act on and pass the dummies while presented to them. My invention, in this connection, further contemplates so timing the cycle` ci the belt', its rate of travel, and the rate of actuation of the feelers and checkers, that, notwithstanding, their intermittentraction, the latter' are yet capable of passing' dummiesI asA fast as their control cars will normally move past any switch or track instrument in the main yard.. l

A further distinctive feature of my present inventionA relates to the simplicaticn of the dummies, their reduction in weight and cost, and their design so that each will respectively control `50 a; predetermined number ofv wheel movements of the rotary switch elements which are moved step byv step, each step indicating a dummy wheel movement past a checking point corresponding to the movement of a control wheel v55 being subsequently .grouped by means of interlocking top elements so as to form assembled dummy units having a number of wheel counters corresponding to the control wheels of their respective main cars.

In my present invention I maintain the responsiveness of the system to the individual control wheels of the main cars, but instead of actuating the dummy wheel counters separately and then assembling them into dummy units comprising a variable number of wheel indicators, I now propose to employ diierent unitary dummies torepresent different numbers of ywheel counters and to advance them past a checking point with Va single feed movement. Most of the dummies will represent standard cars which comprise four control wheels, but some dummies will represent cars having two control Wheels and others three control wheels. Where an abnormally wheeled main car or vehicle is to be'represented in the .dummy yard,'its dummy make-up may comprise either aV two wheel indicator dummy, a three wheel indicator dummy, or a' combination of two or more of these dummies with'each other or with a standard four wheel indicator dummy. Thus, a locomotive having ten control wheels could be represented by two four wheel standard dummies and a two wheel special dummy which will travel together in representing the movement of the locomotive about the yard.

This dummy change reduces theY number of dummy checking movements and `increases the speed of passing dummies to a rate that will permit their movement past control points on the indicating table as rapidly as their` controlmain cars will normally move past corresponding control points where track instruments will be located in the main yard, notwithstanding the fact that the dummy passing operation will be conned to a relatively small portion only of each cycle of the dummy drive belts operation. l

VA further distinctive feature of myY invention relates to the mechanism for giving the-rotary switch element, at the time responsive vto dummy wheel movements, actuations. which will advance it one to four steps at a time, and which are selectively energized by the dummies yor a main control wheel, each standard dummy effecting a. four step actuation and the special dummies two and three step actuations. The single step actuation is always rseponsive directly to a singlecontrol wheel of a main car imparting a single actuation to a track instrument.

For simplifying the indicating table and reducing its dimensions, I1 have made improvements in the dummy which I propose to make out of sheet metal stampngs having a socket for an upstanding card or tab and a metal base adapted to engage the belt and move therewith to follow the tracks without turning about a vertical axis. Such dummies can bef'ma'de of las light stock as Lznd inch plates and the bases may be as small as Mlth inch in width by about 1/2 inch in length. This arrangement will permitthe tracks to be formed between narrow strips spaced just wide enough for the free movement of the thin dummy shanks between them. Thus the largest yards can be condensed into av relatively small dummyk controlled in such manner that when dummies are due to enter or leavel the elevated track it will automatically be dropped into operative position, and thus the normal movement of the dummies need not be interrupted by such track elevations.

My invention further contemplates forming the dummy tracks of pairs of approximately threeeighths inch strips connected by overhead U- strapswhich hold them in spaced relations and permit the dummies and their indicator cards to pass freely therethrough. f My invention further contemplates adapting the dummy track units to be lifted by lifting magnets which engage U-straps at both ends of the dummy track section and are wired for simultaneous operation.

My invention further comprises improvements in the magnetically actuated feeler or checking mechanism for the dummies, the samecomprising: means to stop the approaching dummies in front of the feeler mechanism; to admit them one at a ktime to be acted upon bythe feeler mechanism; and to release them after such actuation, the stop mechanism being-reversible so as to stop the .dummies in front of the feeler from either direction. Y

My invention further comprises improvements in the feeler mechanism which will engage and shift the dummy a predetermined distance laterally of the track before it will register, by'means of holes or notches inits shank, its wheel registering value, the mechanism beingV so designed as to be'unresponsive unlessthe entire shank of the dummy is in a predetermined position and has received a full movement fromthe pusher mechanism, thereby avoiding a false register from a dummy not in proper registering position.

`My invention further comprises improvements in the switch mechanism by whichk I avoid the use of a dummy switch point and shift sections of the converging tracks bodily until one or the other lines up with the receiving track, there being suilicient space between the moving tracks at their closest point to avoid the dummies side-swiping. The moving tracks are arranged to coact with a stop which will hold the dummies from passing out the end of the non-aligning track. This avoids the difficulty experienced in 'the previous mechanisms incident to holding back dummies from moving into position to interfere with the throw of the switch point, but 'with my improved arrangement, where the converging track sections are swung together, I avoid the-use of a switch point and thus do fnot have to keep the switch point position clear.

My present invention further comprises an improved means for producing the necessary setup of a train of dummies corresponding to an entering train of cars to be switched. In the practice of my present invention, the cars of an entering train are recorded both in respect of their car numbers and of the numberof control wheels on each vehicle. With this infor- 'mation the special dummiesiof the appropriate standard or special type,'or groups of standard and special type! dummies, are-.assembled from a dummy yard and fed into the-receiving track of the dummy switch yard.'

My invention further. comprisesznoveliandsim.- plied means for conveying theldummies,A as:.dis charged'from the main dummy. yard; into storage tracks, and selectively distributingV them,i'n said tracks so as to group thestandardandispe-l cial dummies for more convenient. selection. in the initial makeup of'dummy trains;

A distinctive feature of my presentinvention lies in the manner in which the initial makeup of the dummy train is` accomplished. This-:is done by means of an observery with.` appropriate control means responsive-to which he can.cause the delivery to the assemblingtrack inthe dummy yard of a series of dummies which shall each (or a group of which shall each). represent in wheel capacity each-observedivehiclein theen.- tering main train, and by. thus'manuallyassembling the dummy train I'havemade it possible vto use individual dummiesy (or. groups) which represent a definite numberof wheels correspending to the wheel'capacityofthe individual main vehicles observed. In addition to, mar.- shalling the appropriate dummiesin-the-manner above described, and'for the purposev ofapply,i ing car indicia to the assembledi dummies in the same order asthe cars-stand'in the train, the observer makes,` or causes to. be made, a record of the order-of the passing: railway cars, showing their car numbers.

A convenient method of operating: this dummy assembling plan is foran .observer to lbe stationed at each end of the main switch yardwithsuitable dictaphone equipment: into which het can record, as the cars passA and int-heir order, their initial and number, and at theY same time as each car passes he can manipulate-control equipment by means of which, onthe ,indicating table, dummies having the appropriate wheel counters will be assembledin the dummy yard;track;c or responding to'that occupiedl by the .mains train, and thereafter the dummies willamove about-the dummy yard automatically responsivey to, their respective control mairncars. Y

Fig. 1 is a-diagrammaticplan View cfa. typical dummtr yard.

Fig. 2'is a planview of a corresponding-,railroad yard; k

Fig. 3 is a iragmentary'plan view of-` one end of the dummy yard, parts-being broken away and sectioned for clearness. f

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are front. elevational; views of the three forms oi'` dummies provided to represent cars in the railroad.y yard.

Fig. '7 is a sectional View'4 taken along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of thev spring contacts adapted tor be engaged by the Shanks of the dummies.

Figs. 9 and 10 are plan and elevational views of one form of track and switch supporting members.

Fig. 11 is a plan view of another formof track and switch supporting member.

Fig. 12 is a plan View of a switch.

Fig. 13 is an elevationalview showing a.` switch mounted on the member illustrated in Fig. 11.

Figs. 14 and 15 are plan and elevation views ci another form of a track supporting member.

Fig. 16 is a sectional detail of the dummy cscapement mechanism. f 1

Fig. l??4 isa sectional'. detail view-.of'theswitch andltrack raising mechanism.-

Fig. 18-is a fragmentary plan View of an outbound track from the dummy yard and an inboundtrack leading from the storage yard to the dummy yard.

' Fig.. 19 is afragmentary elevational view ofthe inbound track leadingffrom the storage yard to the dummy-yard.

Fig. 20 isa fragmentary plan view of the inbound end offv a storage yard.

Fig. 21 is a fragmentary plan view of theoutbound' endv of.v a storage yard.

Figs. 22 and 23' are elevational views of a rotary.v counter nmechanism.

Fig. 24 isa` plan view of the master control drummechanism.

Fig. 2511s a diagrammatic detail View ilustrating the relativepositions of the contacts. provided on theY controldrum.

Figs. 26 and'Z'T'are plan and elevationalviews of the dummy stop arms'and track raising contacts.

Figs. 28 and 29 are plan` and elevational views of 'a track raising arm.

Fig. 30 isa. viewv partly inplan and partly in section illustrating a track instrument adapted to be actuated by cars moving throughout the railroad' yard.

Fig. 31 is a sectional View taken along the line I XXXI-XXXI of Fig. 30.

' Figs. 32, 33 andl 341 are wiring diagrams.

In the embodiment of myinvention illustrated I have shown in Fig. 2 conventionally a simple main switch yard' comprising a main line en-f trance track I, for north bound' traic, andv a mainline entrance track I I for southbound trafc. This represents the simplest embodiment. of my invention iny which no dummy yard is used and the appropriate dummies are manually assembled for automatic control in their movement about the switchv yard in the manner that will now be described; The yard proper comprises three classicationtracks I 2, I3 and I4, which are connected with the tracks Iii and II by they ladder tracks I5 and I6; The switch connecting track I6 to the tracks I3 and I2 is controlled by a switch box 2| and comprises a suitable switch by means of which current is causedto flow over lead 22 to a corresponding switch in;

the dummy yard torbe later described. Similar switch boxes II, I9l and 23 for the main yard switches control the corresponding switches. in the dummy yard. In advance'of the switch in track I0, I dispose a pair of circuit cl-osing track.

instruments which are arranged alongside of the two;V tracks in staggered relation and so positioned that the wheels on a common axle will engage them successively and actua-te them simultaneously in eitherv direction of movement. Similar track instruments' 25a, are arranged in trackV I5 in advance of the switch for track I3. Similar track instruments 25D- are arrangedv adjacent to the switch leading from track i6 to track I3 and track instruments 25C are associated with the switchv in track II.

These several track instruments are all duplicates and a description of one will appiy to all; In Figures and 31 I have illustrated the track instrument in its detailedv construction and there it is shown to 'comprise a box formed by a metal casting 25 having an extension 27 adapted to engage and conform toV the side of the track rail 28 so as to ht snugly between the base and tread of such rail andi to be secured-1 in this position by bolts 29 which connect the member 21 to the web of the rail. The box has a top Sil-also bolted thereto and within it is mounted a pair of aligning cross shafts 3| each journaled in spaced bearings and havingy fast thereon between its bearings a crank arm .12v/'ith its free end engaging vthe upper end of a coil spring 33. The lower end of both springs 33 are mounted on a common cross bolt 34. The shafts 3| overhang beyond the sides of the box passing through suitable packing boxes 35andeachhas fast on its outer end a trip arm 36 which is in the form of a segment of a circle, as will be moreclear- 1y seen in Fig. 31. This trip'arm has its free end formed with a stop portion 39 adapted to engage under the rail head and its under side is adapted to engage a stop 4U cast on the side of the housing 26. These trip arms 36 are spaced about four or iive inches apart so that a wheel approaching from either direction will depress one in advance of the other, and yet at some point in its passage the ywheel will hold both arms depressed. By this arrangement I get the effect Aof a continuous contact while avoiding the use of a continuous trip arm running parallel with the track which would have substantial weight and be productive of operating troubles under high tralc speed.

The trip arms 36 are well balanced about their respective shafts, andY due to the almost vertical impact received from the wheel they will move down readily against the action of their respective springs 33. Each arm has on the crank 32 a switch arm 4| to overlie the bottom contact member 42 of a switch,'the upper contact member 43 of which is assembled with the member 42 upon a U-shaped bracket 44 which extends from side to side of the box level with the top thereof and inset so as to clear the anges of the top 3Q. The two switches in each box are carried by this common U-bracket 44 and together they control the same circuit which is closed when any or all of the switches are closed, which circuit will be later described.

The segmental shape of the trip arms 36 is provided so that nothing lying alongside of the trackV will interfere with their free downward movement. The stop extension 39 is guarded Vthroughout its limited kdownward movement by the extension 21. Thus it is practically impossible for any obstruction to interfere with the operatio-n of the trip arms responsive to apassing wheel.

The track instruments are grouped in a pair in the approach to each switch, the members of each pair being staggered so that one or the other will be first actuated by approaching wheels and then both-will be held depressed and then the rst actuated will be released. Thisoperation of the two switches is required for the purposes of indicating direction to the selective mechanism controlling the operation of dummies so as to cause .the dummy to have the same direction of movement as its control wheel at the corresponding point in the dummy yard. Further, by grouping the two instruments on opposite sides of the track, I render it almost impossible for both to be raccidentally operated by other means than the two wheels on` a common axle and unless both are so operated, no movement in the dummy yard results. This insures against accidental operation.

The railway switch operated-make and break switches for the circuits controlled by the several switch instruments I1, I9, 2| and 23, may be such as are formally illustrated in Fig. 12 of my Patent 1,743,602, or any make and break mechanism may be substituted, it being only necessary that the actuation of the track switches shall energize its corresponding circuit-to control, in the manner hereinafter described, the operation of the corresponding switch in the dummyyard.

To control the operation of the dummy board, I provide alongside the track I0, adjacent to the main switch yard, a station 45, which may be the yard masters oiice if desired, and in corresponding position alongside the track II, I'provide a 'station 46 which may be occupied by one of the clerks from the yard masters oflice. In each of these stations a clerk charged with the duty of setting up the dummy trains in the dummy yards will be stationed so as to observe the cars of trains approaching the yard. This man, as at present contemplated, will be provided with means by which he can dictate tosuitable recording instruments'the initial and number of each car in the train as it passes. At the same time, as he dictates or otherwise enters this car data he observes whether the car is equipped withv a standard number of wheels, i. e., eight on four axles, giving the car four wheel control units. By a wheel control unit, I mean the two wheels on a common axle, with the flanges designed toengage and actuate the trip arms 36.. All wheels in a train will bearV such flanges except' some of the large driving wheels of the locomotive, which are wider and can readily be seen and. distinguishedA from the other flanged wheels of the train. Y'

Having observed the flanged wheel equipment of the vehicles, the operator will press one or more of three buttons, 41, 48 or 49, (Fig. 21) each button controlling a switch for a circuit, which, when energized, will actuate an escapement-like feed mechanism working in one of the tracks of the dummy storage yard, which will be hereinafter described.Y The button 41 is a standard wheel unit button that is depressed once for each vehicle having four wheel control units. The button 48 will be depressed for each vehicle having three wheel'control units, which is a combination existing generally in Vswitch engines, and this odd number is necessary to make up combinations of dummiesto match locomotives and extra wheel vehicles. The button 49'is depressed to indicate a vehicle having two wheel control units such as a little Caboose, scale testing equipment, and special vehicles.

At station 45, orwherever it is desired to arrange for `the control of operations in the main switch yard, I provide what I call a dummy switchk yard which is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1, wherein it will appear that it has the samey track arrangement as the main yard. The tracks I0 to I6 inclusive in the main yard find counterparts in tracks I0 to H6, inclusive, vin the dummy yard, and in like manner we find an arrangement of switches in the dummy yard, similar to that in the main yard, having actuating mechanisms ||1, IIS, |2| and |23, so as to correspond with the switch boxes |1, I9, 2| and 23 in the main yard.

The dummy yard is provided with what I call a selective dummy checking mechanism positioned in the dummy tracks to correspond with the track instruments 25, 25a., 25h and 25e in the main yard, andV respectively designated` by the Vnumerals |25, |25a, |2517, |250, all of these selective dummy mechanisms being similar but bearing different numerals 'for purposes of identifica? tion.

'Ihe dummy track layout will now be described, reference being particularly had to Figs. 1 and 3 wherein it will appear that the dummy track mechanism is suitably mounted upon a table 55 upon which the top flight of a -fabric or other belt 56 is supported with its lower flight returning under the table which bears at one end an idler belt roller 51 and at the other end a belt driving roller 58, driven by a reversible electric motor 59 vthe circuits to which are controlled by a rotatable master control drum 60 in the manner hereinafter described.

I attach along the sides of the table near the points of the dummy track support a plate 6l (Fig. 16) which projects above the table top and has an arm 62 bent inwardly (see Fig. 3) over the table in properly spaced relationship to the dummy tracks thereon. To the members 6i and 62 are attached brackets such as y63, 64, 55 and 66 which support the dummy switch control mechanism, the 'dummy checking'mechanisms, and the suspension and lifting means for the dummy tracks.

These several brackets are separately and independently mounted upon the plates 6i, 62 and can be attached at any point along the table -where switch or checking mechanisms are required. The plate members 62 can be bent over the board above the belt so as to occupy the desired spaced 'relationship to the checkingand switch mechanisms.

The bracket member 63 is shown ybolted to the plate 6| and at its inner end that overhangs therbelt it has an upturned an'ge 61 to which is bolted an element forming a track and switch support. This element is shown in detail in plan view Fig. 9'and in horizontal transverse cross section in Fig. 3. The element comprises a plate 68 bolted to ange 61 and it has connected along its bottom inner side a track member 69 which vis notched at its left hand end to receive a removable track element 10 which overlaps the track element 69 opposite the plate 68. The plate 68 extends a substantial distance above the normal track level sufliciently to clear the dummies and the cards that they bear and it has attached to it overhead a plate 1l which carries at one end an ear 12 with an aperture to receive the upper screw pivot bearing 13 of the adjacent switch member. This top plate 1l is notched to receive along its center a dependingk plate 15 which drops to the track level and carries a bottom casting 16 (Fig. 3) which Ais slotted to receive lthe plate 15, which latter forms track elements G9a-and 69h which are similar to 69 and notched at their left hand ends to receive complementa] track members similar to 1i). At its forward end the casting has an ear and hole to receive the lower pintle of the switch point.

I attach to the outer edge of the casting 1I a depending plate 11 which at its lower end carries a track member 69o notched to receive a movable track member 10. The right hand ends ofthe track members v69 and 69e -are both notched and outwardly bevelled to receive the complemental track members movable with the switch member 8l).

By reference to Figs. 12, 13 and 1'7 the detail construction of the switch will be better understood and from these views it will appear that each switch unit comprises side track elements 18 and 19 vand a center tapering casting 80 having a Vnarrow vertical `'neck 8| connected 'to an enlarged top head B2. To the opposite side of this head are attached bars 83 and `84 which respectively carry the track elements 19 and 18, the barv 84 being extended above the top 82 and bent `forwardly to provide a crank 85 to which the operating arm 86 for the switch element is pivotally connected.

'Therst switch unit controlled by the switch operating mechanism 12|, Fig. 1, being the left hand switch element in Fig. 3, is supported by the bracket flange 61, which bracket also supports one end of the standard removable track elements 16 forming the tracks H2 and H3.

These several track elements 19 are connected in pairs by means of U-shaped clips 81 in spaced relationship so as to form slots which in the dummy yard lrepresent a track in the main yard. One -of Vthese clips 81 (see Figs. 28 and 29) is arranged at each end of each removable track and they may be placed in between if the tracks are long, should this be desirable. The tracks 19 are preferably formed by rolled steel bars, a suitable dimension for 4which is one-eighth by threeeighths rwith the narrow edge uppermost.

Adjacent tothe switch carrying bracket 53 I provide a bracket 64 which carries the dummy selective checking mechanism which will now be described, as well as a second switch mechanism controlled by the operating mechanism 29 (see Fig.l 2) and similar to that already described. This bracket 64 at its inner end `has an upturned flange S8 (Figs. 3, 11 and 16) which has its upper end out-turned and to this out-turned upper end is attached a top flange 89 (Fig. 13) cut away to provide a triangular web portion 96 extending from a shoulder 9| above to a track element 92 below, see Figs. 11 and 13, the track element corresponding to the standard track element already described and having. its right end both notched and bevelled to coact with the outer trackr element 18 of a second switch member. A middle top casting 93 (Fig. 11) and an inside Yplate 94 are connected by the bolts 95 tothe shoulder 9| of the outer member and casting 93 carries atl one end an ear 12a corresponding to 12 and adapted to receive the upper bearing pin 13 for the second switch point. The casting immediately below the level of the bolts 95 is reduced to form the tapered web portionS which at its bottom carries the track elements l69a and i196. At the forward end of this web portion at the bottom is provided an ear 12b threaded 'to receive the bottom screw bearing for the second switch element.

The plate web V90 carries a track element 18h :coordinating 'with the switch track element 18 von'the right, being cut away and bevelled at its outer vend to t the complementally bevelled end `of said switch track element 19. The plate 94 carries at its lower end a track element Ila which is notched Yat its left hand end to receive a movable track element 19 while the web 96 carriesa track element i101) notched to align with track element 19. 'Ihe plate 94 at its lower `end is extended beyond the lap `joint between the trackelements 10 and |191). To the track member |161) on thek projecting side thereof I attach a bent thin guard plate 91 (Fig. 3), the free end of which is struck on an arc about the axis of .the adjacent switch element and serves as a stop dummy checking mechanism which will be later described. f The bracket 65 (Fig. 3) has an oiset upturned bracket arm 98 having attached thereto a side plate 99 by screws |00 (Figs. 14, 15), the plate 99 carrying a bottom track element A casting |02 is connected by bolts |03 to the plate 99 overhead, the casting being notched out for the passage of the dummy cards and at its lower end it carries a track member |04. The casting '|92 at its lower end has a lateral extension to which this track |04 is bolted and which also carries a side plate |05 which carries a bent guard plate 91, the curvedend of which coacts with the second switch element carried by the bracket 64.

In the dummy storage yard shown in Fig. 18, I provide a bracket 66 having an upturned element |06 which is attached to the track element |0|. This bracket also has a spaced vertical arm |01 which has bolted thereto an element corresponding to that bolted to the flange 61 of bracket 63, except that such element is reversed to carry the switch element atV its left hand end, and its parts corresponding to-'the elements 68 and of Fig. 3 are not notched or offset at their ends remote from the switch point. The switch element 80 in this design is exactly as already described and it coacts with dummy storage tracks |98 and |09 to deliver the dummies therefrom into the dummy track I formed by the track elements |0| and |04.V The track element |04 is supported from the bracket |01 by means of a plate |26 bolted tothe outside track support plate 11 and has its left hand end inturned which carries the track element |04, and a bent guard |26a (similar to'91) forthe adjacent switch point. Y

The bar |26 forms the stop Vfor the dummyY and 15, to permit of vertical adjustment so asV to set them in the desired spaced relation to'thev belt.

The dummystorage trackmechanism,illustrated in Figs. 18, 19, and 21, comprises two main tracks |09 and |08,the track |09 being disposedon the level with the main dummy yard track'so that dummies therein are controlled and operated by the main driving belt 56. 'I'his track |09 is supported atie/ach end by a bracket |29 in any suitable manner from the table and to each bracket is adjustably bolted a supporting element '|30 for the track ends which are notched therein to receive and align with the elements forming a removable track unit |3 comprising spaced track bars held assembled by U-clips 81. IY attach to the element |30 carrying the end of vtrack |09 a spring-pressed dummy stop |32 which projects under theY track bars in position to engage the dummies and bring them to'rest. By manually springing this stop outwardly the dummies can be released to pass into the removable track |3| for the purposes later described.

The storage yard track |08 (Fig. 19) rises to a The guard plates 91 serve to stop the,

level above'the table and forks'to form the dum-l my storage track |33 (Fig. 21) which forks to form track |34. An endless dummy feed belt .|35 is arranged underV the tracksA |08, |33and |34 and its upper flight travels always inthe direc,- tion of the arrow or toward the main dummy yard. This belt flight vtravels over a plate VV|36 suitably supported from. the table and .-the belt is driven by any 'suitable drive mechanism from a motor |38 (Fig. 18). Thismotor is controlled by a switch |39 and is not reversible.

are connected by a laddertrack under control of switch mechanism already described in connection with the correspondingfportion' of the main dummy yard. These tracks`|33 and |34 merge again into the track |08 carried. by the bracket member 65a, corresponding Vto 65,V and terminate in this `member in position to receive one end of the removable track |3| when transferred to the upper level.f A support for the right hand end of the removable `track |3| is provided at 29a and |30a (Fig- 20), corresponding to |29 and |30, these elements being'likewise supported by brackets from the table.

Only one switch assembly |49, which will be later described, is needed for-the control of 'the three tracks |09, Y|33 and |34.'V The preferred form of dummy will now be described, particularly by reference to Figs. 4.-,` 5,.,6 and '7. The dummy is intended to be designed as a light inexpensive unit which will be as small as practicable to receive and hold' car handling cards. As manufactured, the dummy comprises an oblong base |40 slotted to receive a thin metal plate |4| which is anchored in the base and .provided with a top member |42 which is folded around the upper edgerof plate |4| so as to form va socket to receive a car handling card |43. An ear |44 isformed. on lower edge of member |42 in kposition to be engaged by a track to vlift the dummy with the track. I

I show threeV dummies typical of the three different standards provided in the dummy yard. The dummy which has been shown and described has one or more slots in its shank I4 In Fig. 4 is shown what I term the standard dummy in that it is used to Vrepresent four control wheel units. The slot |45 in this dummy is continuous but stops short of the base so as to leave a bottom switch trip plate |40 formed bya web arranged at the bottom of this slot. In the special dummy shown in Fig. 5 the slots |46 are arranged above and below the vweb |48a which is thus raised to intermediate position. In thedummy shown in Figs. 6 and '1 the slot |41 rises from the base and places the web |481)t above it in the highest position. These webs form trip plate control panels to coactwithrthe dummy checking mechanism will now be described.

The dummy checking mechanisms are all alike by the bracket B5 in Fig. 3, it being understood These Y Ytracks |08, |33 and |34 at their right hand ends that the reference numerals applied to these parts will serve for the duplicate checking mechanisms throughout. A spring assembly |49 is attached to the track member |0| adjacent to the plate 99 and it carries three pairs of insulated spring contacts |50, |50a and |5012` arranged one above the other (Fig. 8) with the inner contact member of each pair carrying a pin |5| which projects to-g tively actuated by engagement with the web |48', |48a, or |48b= of a passing dummy when the latter is brought to rest opposite the pins and is shifted laterally toward them by the dummy pusher |52.

lDummies are guided past the pins |5| by a spring mounted plate |53 having holes therein registering with the spring pins so that when this plate is pushed toward the pins the latter will be free to project through it and to feel the dummy so as to be engaged by a dummy web |48, |4|8r1r or |485.

The dummy pusher to shift its` slotted shank laterally so as to selectively operate the desired switch pin, comprises a channel-shaped arm |52 (Fig. 16) pivoted on a pin |54 mounted across a U-shaped bracket |55 which has a vertically extending arm |56 slotted and connected by bolts or screws |51 to the bracket |28 or the equivalent element on the other brackets. The slots in the bracket arm allow vertical adjustment of the feeler which at its upper end is pivotally connected by a rocker arm |58 to the armature of its control magnet |58a.

'Ihis pusher on its upper end carriesa switch operating arm |59 which is adapted to engage and close a spring switch |60 when the pusher has moved far enough to completely cross' the dummy track slot so that, if for any reason a dummy should not be properly placed for selectively actuating the switch pins, it would prevent the closing of this switch |60 and thus no false signal would go out. The U-pusher has the same width as the dummy shank |4| and its recessed portion being faced toward the pins it will allow those pins to pass completely through the dummy slots which are not engaged by a dummy web while allowing an ample actuating movement for the pin that is engaged by the dummy web. v

Associated with the pusher and mounted on the same pivot |54 is a pair of dummy stop arms |6| and |62 which are duplicates and reversely mounted on the pin |54 so that their bottom inturned pointed Shanks will swing below the dummy track into position and engage the dummy base |40. Each pair Yof stops are spaced approximately to straddle the dummy base considered lengthwise of the dummy track and are approximately half the width of the dummy base considered transversely kof the dummy track. The upper ends of both of these stop arms are connected by means of a common pin |63 to an actuator arm |64. Ihe arms |58 and |64 carry stop pins which coact with the bracket |58 to limit the rocking movement of the elements they respectively control. In the positionof the arm shown the left hand stop pins are in engagement with the bracket and the right hand stop Vpins are spaced to allow a limited rocking motion required for the elements to function. In order to prevent the possibility of a dummy shank catching on the channel shaped pusher while approaching it, the pusher has its channel flanges cut away above the level of the spring pins and one flange portion |65 is bent over to cross the channel and form a guide for the dummy. The dummy stops are so positioned at all times that one or the other of each pair projects approximately to the center of the dummy track where it will stop an approaching dummy. By movingl the arms back and forth they will act with an escapement feed to permit the dummies to move past them one at a time.

rIhe elements forming the tracks H2, I3 and H4 (Fig. 3) have been referred to as removable tracks. Each of the tracks heretofore' described is formed by a pair of track bars 10 held in spaced relationship vby U-clips 81. These track elements are capable of being lifted up out of their supporting .sockets at each end, such sockets or seats being illustrated in Figs. 3 and 29 for one end of the dummy track section. They can be lifted out manually or they can be raised by electromagnetic means comprising, for .the track ||2, a vertically movable rocker. armv |65; for the track ||3 a rocker arm |61; and for the track |14 a rockerarm |58, (Figs. 28 and 29). These rocker arms are alike and each extends over into alignment with the center of its respective track and thenit is bent laterally at |69 and extends into the adjacent U-clip 81 of its respectivey track. element, so that when each is raised it. will engage its respective clip and lift the track it controls a predetermined distance. It is desirable that each of these arms entering a clip shall carry on top thereof a normally open switch'comprising a pair of contact arms |10 insulated and with the upper arm disposed to engage the track clip 81 and be brought thereby into engagement with the lower spring contact member when the track element is lifted. The 'top plate 1| fro-m which the tracks ||2 and H3 are supportedl carries a spring switch element- |15 disposedover each track,'see Figs. 26 and 27. The upper springof such switch element is adapted to engage under a pin v|16 carried by the upper end of a bar |11.`

The bar |11 for the track ||2 is received in a nctch in the plate 68 (Fig. 3) and is adjacent to the clip 81 of the assembled track section. The bar is mounted fora limited vertical play on the plate 58 .by meansy of a shoulder screw |18 (Fig. 2'1) passing through a vertically elongated slot |19 in the bar |11. At its lower end the bar lies against the adjacent track member 10 and at its lower end it has a lateral pin which is normally received in a notch |8| provided in the bottom edge of the adjacent track bar 10 so as to seat ilush therein. On the top each bar |11 carries a n'ger plate |82. It is normally pressed upward by the action of the upper spring switch element engaging its respective pin |10 and thus its stop finger |80 is held up in retracted position clearing the dummies. By depressing the finger piece |82 the bar will move downwardly, closing its respective switch element |15 and placing its stop-arm |80 in the path of the dummy bases so as to ystop them.

The dummy checking mechanism to which the dummies are delivered from track I3| (Fig. 20) for distribution to tracks |08, |33 vand |34 is mounted upon a bracket 65a in the manner described and shown in Fig. 16. Bracket 55a is carried by a plate 20| attached to the side of the table, not shown, and this bracket 55a carries a magnet |580I for actuating the operating arm |58 for the pusher and another magnet 5540i for the operating, arm |64 for actuating the dummy stop arms IBI, |62. The circuits controlled by ther dummies in this case serve to con.- trol the energization of switch actuating magnets carried by the brackets 202 and 203 likewise attached to the plate 20| and connected to elements for the support of the track, such as have already been described. The switch units also are like those already described, and the operation of parts is such that standard dummies, such as appear in Fig. 4, will set the switch adjacent tothe feeler so as to bevdirec'ied into the storage track |08. The dummies, such as shown in'Fig; 5, will be directed by the action of the vswitches into the track |33, and the other dum- -mies, such-'as -shown 1in Fig. v(i, will be diverted 

